Battelle
has funded a new portfolio of 19 different out-of-classroom education
programs that build skill in Central Ohio students.
Battelle has awarded $753,000 to fund 19 new or expanded learning
programs in Central Ohio. It’s the largest-ever total funding in a
single year as the Battelle STEM Grant Program completes its seventh
annual round of awards. Providing new opportunities for students to
experience quality science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
education is Battelle’s top philanthropic priority. To date, the program
has awarded more than $3.85 million.
“Creativity allows society to push the boundaries of what can be built
and what we understand about the world,” said Lou Von Thaer, President
and CEO of Battelle. “That’s the work our scientists and engineers do
every day and it is precisely the skill these programs foster in young
people.”
The Battelle STEM Grant Program supports Central Ohio organizations that
link STEM education to the arts.
“Each and every organization awarded today proposed a unique way of
connecting STEM education to Central Ohio students and the problems that
matter to young people in Central Ohio,” said Aimee Kennedy, Battelle
Senior Vice President, Education, STEM Learning & Philanthropy.
“Together, these efforts create a portfolio of educational approaches
that will show thousands of young people the value of a STEM career.”
“We are proud to help creative educators in our community find new ways
to connect kids to critical subjects and to each other,” said Kennedy.
“Unlocking the potential of these young innovators ensures a future of
innovation for Central Ohio and the world.”
The 19 out-of-classroom learning activities funded by Battelle are:
Cardio in Canal: Design Thinking to Increase Physical Activity by
Canal Winchester Local Schools
All 3,500 K-12 teachers and students in Canal Winchester will
participate in a district-wide problem-based learning lesson to increase
heart rates through outdoor exercise. Students will use new Fit Trail
stations placed at three schools and participate in a week-long summer
camp. The program culminates with a Cardio in Canal Summer Celebration
in June 2020.
Kids Creating Innovative Solutions for the Future of Mobility by
Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center
Primary school-age children will complete a 10-week summer program on
future mobility and automotive design solutions. The project
collaborates with Smart Columbus, COSI, Honda R&D Americas and The
Artmobile.
Studio Thinking Continuum by Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Museum of Art will implement and evaluate the Open Studio,
an extension of the Teen Open Studio for all ages and launch a new
Mobile Studio for libraries, concert series, festivals, and other summer
programs including Columbus Parks and Recreation’s Go Lunch program.
Out-of-School Time Learning Package by COSI
This program will provide a yearlong deep dive into a STEM content area
or career field for approximately 150 youths, aged 10–14, during their
afterschool participation at five Boys and Girls Club of Columbus sites.
Continuing CBusStudentHack: Coding for Community by Franklin
University
CBusStudentHack: Coding for Community is a 10-week program aimed at
promoting computer science education and increasing high school
students’ college and career readiness culminating with an in-person
competition. This funding will extend the program for a 5th year with
continued improvements based on feedback from Central Ohio educators and
students.
Green STEM Girls Year 2 by Friends of the Conservatory
Through the Franklin Park Conservatory’s Green STEM after school
program, 35 middle-school students from Columbus City Preparatory School
for Girls will use the Conservatory’s extensive plant collection as a
living classroom to learn about environmental and life sciences through
creative and engaging approaches such as cooking, dance and design.
Girl Scouts Make Zone Expansion + Mobile by Girl Scouts of Ohio’s
Heartland, Inc.
This program will expand the Make Zone, a maker space for girls in
grades K–12 to explore STEM activities like robotics, 3D printing and
prototyping, design and engineering, TV and multimedia and more.
Learning experiences will offer opportunities for girls to gain
leadership skills while learning about STEM careers and engaging in
hands-on science and extracurricular activities.
Gravity Powered Project by Gladden Community House
The Gladden Community House will create a STEM-based Gravity Powered
Project and Vehicle Derby for K-12th grade Franklinton youth.
Gladden will provide our students with year-long STEM based educational
programming about force and motion and will help students build gravity
powered vehicles to demonstrate these principles in action.
Green Teens Grow by Highland Youth Garden
This program will expand garden education from the elementary students
to teens at the Highland Youth Garden, an oasis for learning, connecting
and engaging. Teens will work with educators to lead the elementary
students in STEM learning.
King Arts Gardening and Film Workshops by King Arts Complex
Children from 5 to 18 visiting the King Arts Complex will combine STEM
and arts learning in two workshops: 1. Go-Green, where young children
learn the magic of gardening and joy of creating artwork from natural
and recycled materials. 2. B.A.M.N. (By Any Means Necessary) where older
youth, ages 13 to 18, will work with a visiting filmmaker to
conceptualize and produce their own short film.
Lakewood Local Schools STEM Club by Lakewood Local School District
Lakewood Local Schools will start a weekly after-school STEM club for
students at Jackson Intermediate School. Students will use Design
Thinking to work through a variety of challenges built on Ohio’s Science
and Technology Content Standards and showcase their work at a
celebration for parents and the local community.
STEAM Club Projects/Open Maker Space at Metro Middle by Metro Early
College Middle School
The program creates a makerspace at Metro Early College Middle and High
School with open hours two days a week and weekly scaffolded projects.
Students will also conduct their own maker service fair auction and
external workshops for libraries, Boys & Girls clubs, and other
community groups.
Exploration In Modern Farming by Ohio Soybean Council
The Ohio Soybean Foundation will extend and enhance its informal
education program, Exploration of Modern Farming. The program will train
20 pre-service teachers to lead outreach events in the summer of 2019
and 2020. The Ohio Soybean Foundation will provide matching funds up to
$35,000 to reach approximately 14,000 participants over two years.
Girls Soar Summer Program by PAST Foundation
Through Girls Soar, Central Ohio Middle School girls will explore
careers in aviation by learning about air traffic control and principles
of flight. Both KIPP Columbus and the PAST Innovation Lab will each host
Girls Soar programs, reaching up to 80 young women, with the aviation
activities and the introduction role models that look like participating
girls.
Artistic ASL by Shadowbox Live
Shadowbox Live will continue its partnership with Columbus State
Community College to teach American Sign Language to students through
artistic interpretation through physically and emotionally embracing the
onstage characters. The program also expands theatrical interpreting
services to the deaf community in Central Ohio.
Techie Camp: Educating, Exciting and Empowering Students with the “T”
in STEM by TECH CORPS
TECH CORPS will expand their impact throughout Franklin County by
offering a series of 10 Techie Camps to 200 elementary and middle school
students underrepresented in computer science and technology. Techie
Camp is a full day, week-long summer camp designed to educate, excite
and empower students with technology while promoting creativity,
critical thinking and collaboration.
Camp Architecture/High School Design Studio by The Center for
Architecture and Design
This program funds camp registrations for underserved youths in central
Ohio to learn about architecture, landscape architecture, urban and
regional planning, interior design, retail design, industrial design,
interior design at Knowlton School of Architecture at Ohio State
University.
Community STEM Center Initiative at The Works by The Works: Ohio
Center for History, Art and Technology
Partnering with middle schools in Licking County, The Works: Ohio Center
for History, Art and Technology will build on activities from previous
years, supporting teachers through professional learning and
cross-district mentorship and collaboration while expanding student
access to creative out-of-school learning opportunities to explore STEM
concepts and careers.
STEMPossible by United Way of Delaware County/Strengthening Families
STEMPossible, a program of the United Way of Delaware County
Strengthening Families initiative, aims to grow middle school students’
interest and engagement in STEM by nurturing a culture where curiosity
is encouraged, imagination is expected, and critical thinking is valued.
STEMPossible connects students to the world of STEM and their academic
work in a fun, innovative and inclusive way.
About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to
solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national
laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and
development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical
services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in
Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national
security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental
industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.
Media Contacts
For more information contact Katy Delaney at (614) 424-7208 or delaneyk@battelle.org or
T.R. Massey at (614) 424-5544 or masseytr@battelle.org.
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